Mahalaya

Hindu devotees pray in a holy pond on the auspicious day of Mahalaya in Mumbai, India, on Monday. Hindus offer prayers with holy water after taking a dip in the river to honour the souls of their departed ancestors during Mahalaya, which is also called Shraadh or Pitru Paksha.

A Hindu prays in a holy pond on the auspicious day of Mahalaya in Mumbai. Hindus offer prayers with holy water after taking a dip in the river to honour the souls of their departed ancestors during Mahalaya, which is also called Shraadh or Pitra Paksha

An elderly Hindu woman smiles as she begs for alms on the banks of the Ganges river on the holy day of Mahalaya in Calcutta, India. Hindus offer prayers with holy water after taking a dip in the river to honour the souls of their departed ancestors during Mahalaya, which is also called Shraadh or Pitra Paksha.